Brassiere construction

ABSTRACT

A brassiere which comprises a breast support band-mantle having a relatively stiff infra-mammal band adapted to fit below and adjacent to her breasts and extending from scapula to scapula and a less stiff mantle contiguous to said band and adapted to support the lower surface of the breasts. The band-mantle is attached to a shoulder strap by a pair of ledge straps, one of each pair being affixed to the center of the band-mantle and the other adjustably affixed towards the ends of the mantle in proximate relation to the pectoris lateralis.

o United States Patent 1 [111 3,769,987 Markowitz Nov. 6, 1973 [54] BRASSIERE CONSTRUCTION 3,409,017 11/1968 Ramsell 128/486 [76] Inventor: Marvin R. Markowitz, 355 E. 72nd St New York, Y 10021 Primary ExaminJerL-Werner H. Schroeder Att B rt e 22 Filed: Dec. 16, 1971 mm e [21] Appl. No.: 208,571 [57] ABSTRACT A brassiere which comprises a breast support band- [52] 1.1.8.31. mantle having a relatively Stiff inframammal band 'f adapted to fit below and adjacent to her breasts and ex- [5 1 tending from scapula to scapula and a less stiff mantle 1 l 5 8 6 contiguous to said band and adapted to support the 4 5 511 lower surface of the breasts. The band-mantle is attached to a shoulder strap by a pair of ledge straps, one [56] References cued of each pair being affixed to the center of the band- UNITED STATES PATENTS mantle and the other adjustably affixed towards the 3,164,155 1/1965 Simonsen 128/488 X ends of the mantle in proximate relation to the pectoris 3,527,231 9/1970 Catanese et al. 128/484 lateralis 3,402,719 9/1968 Simonsen 128/484 3,213,462 10/1965 Ramsell 128/486 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures BRASSIERE CONSTRUCTION DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to brassieres; and, in more particular, to a brassiere having two part construction in which the cups are of somewhat conventional shape but function other-wise, and associated therewith as a semi-separate but principal part of the complete brassiere, a relatively stiff breast support band-mantle which acts to form and support the breasts without constriction thereof.

In the prior art, the forming of the breasts to the proper anatomical shape has been attempted by constriction thereof. This has been done by holding or forcing the breasts against the chest. This results in lowered blood circulation, malfunctioningglands,'stretching and distortion of the natural form, and, often, disease. Holding or forcing the breasts against the chest, either lightly orheavily, in time, stretches the superfacial fascia, flattens and spreads the breasts, reduces muscular tone, and results in an unnatural shape thereof.

Thus it is an object of the present invention to devise a brassiere that will support the breasts in their natural form, and to do such without abnormal constriction thereof.

A further object of the present invention is the designing of a brassiere that may be used for forming and molding the breasts to their proper shape when they have been distorted by improper support means.

Another object of the present invention is the designing of a brassiere that has a breast support member and a breast covering member, said members being separate in structure and function.

It is, also, an object of the invention to devise a breast supporting member that is held in breast supporting position without inward pressure on the breast.

The aforementioned defects of the prior art are remedied and these objects achieved when a brassiere embodying the present invention is properly proportioned and fitted to the female body. Such a brassiere will be briefly described by naming the parts thereof after and relating them to the regions of the body surfaces which such parts contact when such brassiereis properly proportioned and fitted to the female body.

A brassiere of the present invention has two main parts, the breast cups made of lightweight fabric shaped to conform to and to lightly fit the breasts, and a bandmantle part which encompasses the chest and supports the breasts. The band-mantle is the principal part of the brassiere to the outside of which the cups are attached. This one-piece band-mantle is made of a stiff fabric such as lightweight canvas with an inframammalis (or band) portion and a mammalis (or mantle) portion. The inframammalis portion of this band'mantle is laminated to a grosgrain strip to provide a stiff inframammalis band to support and hold breast tissue above this band in the body of the brassiere.

The mammalis portion of the band-mantle is nonlaminated and therefore forms a relatively flexible joint at the upper edge of the grosgrain-laminated inframammalis portion of said band-mantle, thereby forming a suspensory mammalis mantle or shelf which may easily bend with respect to the inframammalis portion of the band-mantle. The juncture of the laminated and nonlaminated portions of the band-mantle is placed along the juncture of the mammalis and inframammalis.

The band-mantle is held to the inframammalis surface region and extended by a portion thereof over the pectoris lateralis to the back of the chest where an elastic tie extends, generally, across the infrascapularis or scapalaris and mediana to join the band-mantle together at the back of the person. The sternalis juncture of the band-mantle forms an upward pointed V.

The upper, or mammalis, portion of the band-mantle extends upward and outward from the juncture of the mammalis and inframammalis about one-third the distance to the breast nipple. The mammalis portion of the band-mantle is widest at the junctures of the mammalis and the pectorislateralis or thereabove, tapers slightly to the sternalis juncture, and tapers out at about the juncture of the pectoris lateralis and the infrascapula- The band-mantle has two ledge straps, each with one end secured to the point of the sternalis V and its other end laminated with a Velcro (tradename for nylon tape fasteners) strip which attaches to a mating Velcro strip laminated to the upper, or mammalis, portion of the band-mantle at its widest part. Each of these straps, generally, follows the upper edge of the breast. From the midpoint of each ledge strap, a shoulder strap passes over the shoulder and down the back to have its other end secured to the band along the infrascapularis portion thereof.

The band-mantle, when laid flat on a table, forms an upward pointing V. The V shape causes the shelf, or mammalis portion of the band-mantle, to conform to the lower portions of the breasts when the band-mantle is applied to the person. The sternal point of the bandmantle will extend upward between the breasts and the breast straps will generally follow the upper and side edges of the breasts.

Pieces of lightweight cloth are formed into breast cups, and each breast is covered with such a cup. The top edge of each cup is secured to the adjacent shoulder strap, the cups are joined together over the sternalis, and the extension of each cup is joined to the lower edge of the pectoris lateralis portion of the bandmantle. The intramammalis and mammalis portions of the cup are free of the band-mantle.

Having mentioned some of the defects of the prior art devices some of the objects of the present invention, and given a brief description of the present invention, an embodiment of the invention is hereinafter described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brassiere embodying the present invention as it would appear when properly applied to a female person.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the band-mantle .of the present invention when laid out flat.

A band-'rnantle' l1 lies flat, as seen in FIG. 3. The band-mantle 11 is formed by cutting a stiff material such as lightweight canvas along the outer periphery of the pattern shown in FIG. 3. The lower portion of the band-mantle 12 is laminated with a material such as gross-grain 13 to provide additional stiffness such as lightweight canvas. This form of construction is a marked improvement over the prior art where the band-mantle was formed from at least four separate pieces. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,033,206. Joined to the ends of the band-mantle 11 is an elastic back tie 16. One end of the tie and the adjacent end of the band are provided with cooperating hooks and eyes 17 for selectively securing these ends together. The band is almost straight when flat but the top edge of the inframammalis portion is slightly arched and the bottom edge has, over the pectoris lateralis, a depending cup edge strip 18 to which a breast cup is secured.

The included angle at the sternal juncture 21 between the lines formed by the juncture 19 when the band-mantle 11 is flat is about 150 for the smallest brassiere sizes, chest size and breast size. The included angle decreases as the breast size increases. The size of the chest has little, if any, effect on this included angle. As the breast size increases, the included angle is decreased to effect a greater cupping of the mantle and to bring the sternal juncture higher between the breasts. This may require some increase in the band and mantle lengths.

The band-mantle 11 is fitted to the person so that the juncture 19 is, generally, on thejuncture of the mammales and the inframammales, and so that the sternalis juncture 21 extends upward between the breasts, and.

the mantle conforms to the curve of the breasts. Each half of the mantle is wide enough to extend upward about half the distance to the breast nipple. The widest part 22 of of each half of the mantle is near the mammalis and pectoris lateralis and the infrascapularis. The elastic back tie 16 is stressed enough to snugly hold the band against the chest. Downward slipping of the bandmantle is prevented by shoulder straps 23, 24 and ledge straps 25, 26. One end of each shoulder strap is secured to a band near the back end thereof. The other end of each shoulder strap is adjustably secured by a buckle 28 to the middle of its respective ledge strap. Each ledge strap has its two ends secured to the top edge of each half of the suspensory mantle 14, each end at the side of the breast supported by such ledge, and each strap, generally, following the upper edges of one of the breasts. Generally, the two ledge straps meet over the sternalis. Usually the lengths of the shoulder straps are made adjustable, and the lengths of the ledge straps may be adjustable. The above described band-mantle and its back tie and straps constitute the principal part of the brassiere. These are the parts that shape and support the breasts.

It is a preferred embodiment of the invention, that the ends of the ledge straps 25 and 26 which are affixed to the mantle near its widest portion, i.e., at the pectoris lateralis, be adjustable. This feature is particularly important because it eliminates the need to custom fit the brassiere. By providing this adjustment, the brassiere may be readily altered to the proper distance between the sternlis juncture and the pectoris lateralis. A particularly useful means of providing this adjustable feature is to cover the ends of the ledge straps 40 and 42 and' a portion of the mantle near the pectoris lateralis 44 with Velcro. In this manner, not only can the aforesaid distance be individually adjusted, but also the effective length of the ledge strap 25 and 26 can be altered. Other adjustable attaching means, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art may also be used. Thse include a series of spaced snaps, hooks and eyes and buttons.

The breast cups 29, 30 are made of any suitable material usually a soft flexible fabric which may be embellished to suit the taste of a wearer: and are shaped to conform to a particular breast and bust size as is the band-ledge. The cups are tied together by a sternalis gusset 31, and an extension 33, 34 over the pectoris lateralis and the inframammalis at each side. The sternalis gusset lies over the sternalis and the extensions terminate at the back ends of the inframammalis bands and the joined thereto along the band cup strips 18. The cups and the extensions cover the band-mantle 11. The upper edge of each cup is upwardly pointed and at this upper point is detachably joined by means of a hook 38 to a tab 39 which is located between each ledge strap and its shoulder strap buckle 28. Each tab may have therealong a series of loops or openings in which the hook 38 may be inserted for adjustment of the cup with respect to its shoulder strap and ledge strap. The breast cups and their extensions are in much the form of a conventional brassiere. In fact, the band-mantle 11 constitutes an addition to the conventional brassiere for the performance of functions which the conventional brassiere is not able to effect.

The brassiere of the present invention may be used for either the enlargement of the breasts or for the support and control of full breasts.

In the use of the brassiere for the enlargement of the breasts, the shoulder straps are placed over the shoulders, the inframammalis band is placed below and contiguous the breasts and the back tie secured so that the band lies flat and snug against the body. The cup hooks 38 are disengaged from the straps. Each breast is centered in the triangle of its ledge strap. One hand of the wearer holds the band-mantle at a pectoris lateralis portion while the other hand gently brings flesh forward from under the arm to within the triangle of the ledge strap. This placement action is repeated several times for each breast at each adjustment of the brassiere to obtain maximum development. Next, one hand of the wearer holds the inframammalis band in place below a breast while the other hand is placed inside of the mantle and is cupped under the breast. The flesh is then brought up and over the inframammalis band. This action is repeated at each adjustment. After this shaping of the breasts, the cups are raised and the hook of each is placed in an opening in the shoulder strap tabs 39 which will fit the cups to the breasts so as to lightly cover them. The support and shaping of the breasts is a function of the band mantle 11 and not of the cups.

Once the breasts have been shaped as above described, the band-mantle will give them the full support which they should have, and will hold them in the desired form and position. The inframammalis band fits securely against the chest below the breasts. The juncture 19 between the inframammalis bands and the ledges being very flexible with respect to the band allows the joint to bear against the juncture of the inframammalis and the mammalis of the wearer, and prevents the breasts from slipping down inside of the bands. Each mantle bears against the lower portion of a breast and rounds to its shape. There is no inward pressure holding the breasts against the chest to distort the breasts from their natural intended form. There is no pressure which reduces blood circulation. This will result in healthy bust tissue.

Having thus described my invention, its construction and use. 1 claim:

1. A brassiere, comprising a band-mantle defining a left and a right inframammalis band and a left and a right breast support mantle, each band having a scapular end, a common sternal end and an upper or mammalar edge and adapted to fit against the chest of a woman below and adjacent one of her breasts and of a length to extend from her sternalis to over her pectoris lateralis, said bands forming an obtuse angle at the common sternal end; a back tie joining together the scapular ends of said bands and being adapted to extend across the womans back; each mantle having a scapular end, a common sternal end, and upper and lower edges, and each mantle being of a width of at least one-third of the lower surface of the breast, said mantles forming an obtuse angle at the common sternal end substantially the same as the obtuse angle formed is formed of a single continuous fabric having laminated thereon a second fabric over said band portion, thereby making said bands relatively stiff as compared to said mantles.

3. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein a pair of ledge strap is provided, one end of each of said ledge straps being fixed to the sternal portion of the band-mantle and the second end being adjustably affixed to the pectoris lateralis portion of the band-mantle and adapted to alter the effective length of the ledge strap and the distance between the junctures of the two ends of the ledge straps.

4. The brassiere of claim 3 wherein the second end of each ledge strap and the pectoris lateralis portion of the mantle have nylon tape fasteners laminated thereon. 

1. A brassiere, comprising a band-mantle defining a left and a right inframammalis band and a left and a right breast support mantle, each band having a scapular end, a common sternal end and an upper or mammalar edge and adapted to fit against the chest of a woman below and adjacent one of her breasts and of a length to extend from her sternalis to over her pectoris lateralis, said bands forming an obtuse angle at the common sternal end; a back tie joining together the scapular ends of said bands and being adapted to extend across the womans back; each mantle having a scapular end, a common sternal end, and upper and lower edges, and each mantle being of a width of at least one-third of the lower surface of the breast, said mantles forming an obtuse angle at the common sternal end substantially the same as the obtuse angle formed by the sternal ends of the bands; said lower edges of said mantles being in common with the mammalar edges of said bands so that the common sternal ends form a continuous line, said bands being relatively stiff in relation to said mantles.
 2. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein the band-mantle is formed of a single continuous fabric having laminated thereon a second fabric over said band portion, thereby making said bands relatively stiff as compared To said mantles.
 3. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein a pair of ledge strap is provided, one end of each of said ledge straps being fixed to the sternal portion of the band-mantle and the second end being adjustably affixed to the pectoris lateralis portion of the band-mantle and adapted to alter the effective length of the ledge strap and the distance between the junctures of the two ends of the ledge straps.
 4. The brassiere of claim 3 wherein the second end of each ledge strap and the pectoris lateralis portion of the mantle have nylon tape fasteners laminated thereon. 